Careful Words

infidel (n.)

  I do not know, sir, that the fellow is an infidel; but if he be an infidel, he is an infidel as a dog is an infidel; that is to say, he has never thought upon the subject.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784): Life of Johnson (Boswell). Vol. iii. Chap. iii. 1769.

A second Daniel, a Daniel, Jew!

Now, infidel, I have you on the hip.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): The Merchant of Venice. Act iv. Sc. 1.

  He hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

New Testament: 1 Timothy v. 8.